Years ago, chemists searched for gentler solvents that could step in where harsher, more volatile compounds fell short. The rise of diethylene glycol ethyl ether, known to some as ethoxy diglycol or transcutol, didn’t spring from just one inventive moment. Its path strings through the steady march of organic chemistry in the 20th century, guided by growing demands in manufacturing and medicine. Scientists learned that this clear liquid, with its mellow odor and friendly mixing habits, played well with everything from dyes to pharmaceuticals. As paint factories and labs experimented, it found more work—proof that if you hang around innovation long enough, someone hands you a toolbelt.
Diethylene glycol ethyl ether sits in a family of glycols prized for their versatility. Commercially, it lands on shelves as a high-purity, low-volatility fluid shipped in bottles stamped with a clutch of regulatory symbols. In the plant, workers see a clear, colorless solvent that resists freezing and boils well above room temperature. Formulators gravitate toward it for its knack for keeping pigments, resins, scents, and even certain pharmaceuticals in solution. The world sees a liquid, but the industries see much more—an enabler that helps them create smoother paints, gentler detergents, and longer-lasting perfumes.
Diethylene glycol ethyl ether holds a molecular weight around 162, with the formula C6H14O3. On the scale, it pours at about 1.0, so it feels like a heavier water. It boils near 196°C and sinks below freezing at -68°C, which matters when processing in chilly climates or heating up a reaction vessel. Its moderate viscosity means it coats surfaces with a certain softness, and its flash point sits near 96°C—lower than some glycols, higher than volatile aromatics. This solvent dissolves grease, ink, and flavor compounds without fuss, and it's gentle enough for many sensitive processes, though its slightly sweet, ether-like aroma signals caution.
Industrial standards demand purity—over 99% in pharmaceutical and electronic grades—because impurities can gum up systems or change product qualities. Labels need details that matter on the shop floor: lot number, date of manufacture, hazard icons, and compliance codes set by groups like the EPA, OSHA, or REACH in Europe. UN numbers, proper shipping names, and signal words all show up. Having this info up front spares repairs, stoppages, or worse—and avoids unwanted visits from safety regulators.
Chemists typically craft diethylene glycol ethyl ether by reacting ethylene oxide with ethanol in the presence of a base catalyst. Reactors need to handle the pressure and control the temperature tightly—cutting corners here leads to impurities or runaway reactions. After distillation and purification, the product comes out as a clear liquid, filtered and checked for remaining catalysts or byproducts like diethylene glycol. Getting this right takes experience—the reactions can misbehave or yield off-spec material if rushed or poorly mixed.
This compound plays nice with acetylation, sulfonation, and etherification. Labs sometimes tweak its chain for special solvents or to build surfactants. Heating it with acids or strong bases can break it down, so storage and cleanup routines matter. Its hydroxyl group invites chemical play, allowing for diverse modifications—the sort needed when chasing ever-tougher standards in coatings or pharmaceutical excipients.
It answers to names like ethoxy diglycol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, transcutol, Carbitol, or DEGEE. Each brand or supplier puts its spin on the label, depending on purity or intended use. This causes headaches for folks cross-referencing data sheets, as synonyms can hide different additives, stabilizers, or country-of-origin quirks. Double-checking product codes and uses saves hassles downstream, especially when one supplier’s “pharmaceutical grade” might not live up to another’s claims.
With solvents, safety means more than the right gloves. Diethylene glycol ethyl ether has caused skin and eye irritation in some cases, so operators suit up with goggles, nitrile gloves, and aprons. Workplaces need ventilation—this isn’t a vapor cloud anyone wants to breathe. Spills won’t catch fire as easily as others, but soaked rags in a hot trash can might surprise you. Storage away from acids, bases, or oxidizers and regular safety drills keep accidents out of the headlines. Training helps too, since EPA or OSHA fines can sting a company’s bottom line as much as an injured worker’s absence.
Industries line up for diethylene glycol ethyl ether’s gifts. Paint formulators rely on it to carry pigments deep into droplet form, making tough colors and smooth coats possible. Textile dye houses use it to help vibrant color stick longer, resisting fading in both sun and wash cycles. In pharmaceuticals, this solvent solves sticky challenges—helping deliver active ingredients through skin or mucous membranes. Cosmetic labs put it in lotions, perfumes, and makeup where gentle solubilization makes or breaks a formula. Digital printing and inkjet manufacturing also tap into its solvency and evaporation rate, helping printheads deliver precision without clogs or color drift.
Researchers poke at every angle: how formulas work, how to replace older, harsher solvents, and where this compound might fit into greener chemistries. Reports from university and private labs show continued experiments in drug delivery, where diethylene glycol ethyl ether has proven useful as a carrier for both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Scientists focus on bioavailability studies and stability under complex physiological conditions. In coatings, R&D labs mix it into water-based paints, looking for improved spread, less VOC emission, and longer shelf life. Trend trackers note surging interest for breaking reliance on petroleum feedstocks, which means alternative sourcing—the dream of a plant-based glycols market keeps popping up at chemistry conferences.
Researchers, regulators, and advocacy groups scrutinize toxicity data to balance utility with risk. Ingesting diethylene glycol ethyl ether can harm organs, especially the liver and kidneys, so strict exposure limits exist in food and drugs. Studies on rodents show potential irritation at higher concentrations and possible reproductive toxicity, though much depends on dose, duration, and species tested. Even if the compound seems gentle, the long game demands vigilance—what’s safe in one use might haunt another, so clear labeling, ventilation, and routine health monitoring back up every shipment. Countries like the U.S., Germany, and Japan update their risk assessments frequently, so manufacturers and users need to keep tabs on evolving guidance.
Research and market trends suggest a future packed with both promise and hurdles. The world wants to cut VOCs, stretch flavor and fragrance performance, and sneak through ever-tighter safety rules all at once. Diethylene glycol ethyl ether fits as a bridge from legacy solvents to next-generation blends, especially in water-based systems and advanced pharma delivery. Still, pressure builds to prove it can be made cleaner, safer, and without ties to fossil fuels. If biobased ethylene oxide becomes more available and regulations steer clear of outright bans, this solvent could see expanded use, especially where low toxicity and gentle solvency matter. Companies and labs pushing for safer, more sustainable products have every reason to keep this compound in the mix—so long as they keep tabs on ever-shifting science and market winds.
Many people crack open a can of paint, spritz glass cleaner on a mirror, or swipe on lotion without glancing at the ingredients. Diethylene glycol ethyl ether hides behind many trade names, but it shows up in places people touch every day. Most folks don’t realize this clear, almost odorless liquid does a lot of work behind the scenes.
I’ve helped a neighbor paint more than one room, and one thing that stands out is how some paints just feel better going on the wall. That’s no accident. Diethylene glycol ethyl ether helps dissolve ingredients that give paint both its staying power and its even spread. Without something to pull water and oil-based components together, paint would clump, peel, or never reach that satisfying smoothness. It turns what could be a frustrating chore into something most people ignore until a room shines at the end.
Spray a streaky window with a regular cleaner and frustration follows—sticky smears and spots that catch sunlight just right. Cleaners that contain diethylene glycol ethyl ether cut greasy fingerprints and leave a streak-free finish. This chemical’s knack for dissolving grime and evaporating slowly means no need to go back over a spot five times. I’ve always reached for these cleaners because they simply work better. Office janitors, professional cleaners, and even the average apartment dweller benefit from a chemical like this pulling extra weight in a bottle.
Factories and workshops use diethylene glycol ethyl ether for more than cleaning. This solvent keeps inks smooth in printing shops and helps dyes stick to leather in busy tanneries. Industrial labs need stable mixtures during production, and this liquid solvent cuts through stubborn combinations. Companies depend on it to avoid jams on conveyor belts, ruined batches of plastic, and sluggish machinery. Less downtime means fewer headaches and less waste headed for landfills.
With cough syrups, skin creams, and ointments, smooth mixing can mean the difference between comfort and irritation. Diethylene glycol ethyl ether’s solvent powers allow medicine makers to blend ingredients that don’t mix easily on their own, keeping active ingredients stable long enough for people to use them. Some personal care products also include small amounts of this chemical to improve texture or feel.
While diethylene glycol ethyl ether pulls a lot of weight, safety matters. The biggest headlines only come out when something goes wrong—tainted supplies or sloppy handling. This chemical earned notoriety in the past when misused in pharmaceuticals, so keeping it out of the wrong place ends up just as important as knowing the benefits. Regulators set strict limits and routines for how companies store and use products containing this ingredient. Responsible handling keeps it a helpful force in paint, cleaners, and medicine alike.
As a writer and a shopper, I have seen a shift. People want simple, safer ingredients, especially when children and pets share the house. Companies face real pressure to find alternatives. Water-based solutions or plant-derived solvents can take over some jobs once handled by chemicals like diethylene glycol ethyl ether. That switch doesn’t always work out the first time—eco-labels sometimes disappoint, both in price and performance, but steady research moves things forward.
With strict oversight and smarter alternatives, households and factories can enjoy the convenience of modern chemistry without paying a hidden price. Open conversations, clearer labels, and creative minds can keep the benefits—and cut the risks—of solvents like diethylene glycol ethyl ether. Each step matters, from the factory floor to the painted bedroom wall, in choosing what’s best for health, safety, and peace of mind.
Stepping into the world of industrial solvents, Diethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether—known in some circles as DEEE, or by its trade name Transcutol—shows up in a surprising number of places. From paints to personal care and even inks, this clear liquid quietly supports convenience and productivity for many businesses. Its strong dissolving power breaks up stubborn substances and keeps formulations stable, which companies love as they scale up their production lines.
Solvents rarely come drama-free. Breathing in too much vapor, splashing the liquid on skin, or accidentally swallowing even small amounts can trigger health problems. While DEEE carries less toxicity than chemicals like diethylene glycol, the threat remains. Workers dealing with the substance, especially those in poorly ventilated spaces, may develop headaches or nausea. In my years of factory visits, I’ve seen a fair number of employees struggle with raw hands and watery eyes after long hours around these fumes.
DEEE doesn’t rank among the most fearsome toxins, but animal studies link higher doses to kidney and liver trouble. For those with existing respiratory or skin sensitivity, symptoms show up at lower exposures. I remember a paint factory foreman describing shortness of breath among staff when the exhaust fans slowed. These little warning signs don’t belong at the bottom of a safety checklist.
Many workplaces keep hazards in check with decent ventilation and protective gear. Simple gloves, goggles, and fume hoods go a long way. Good practice includes clear labeling and training—no shortcuts, no excuses. Smaller operations sometimes skip these steps to save time or cut costs. During some consulting work at a small print shop, labels on chemical drums barely survived a week of splashes and sunlight, confusing even experienced staff. That confusion breeds real danger.
Local environmental rules shape how companies handle disposal and spillage. DEEE won’t explode or ignite easily, but leaking it into drains raises concerns for aquatic life. Waste shouldn’t end up in the regular trash or backyard ditch, yet shortcuts still crop up where oversight lags.
DEEE stays mostly out of reach for the general public, though it slips quietly into cosmetics and cleaners. Regulators in places like the European Union put firm limits on concentration levels and demand detailed labeling in certain products. These steps don’t wipe out all risk, but they shrink opportunities for accidental harm. Personal care users often gloss over long lists of ingredients; without meaningful oversight, subtle risks can stack up with years of use.
Switching out hazardous solvents isn’t simple or cheap. Companies continue to explore alternatives, hunting for greener chemistry with fewer side effects. Until something better comes along, the recipe stays about the same: pay close attention, use the right safety gear, and cut the nonsense when someone reports a symptom. Those who live with the consequences—factory hands, janitors, and lab techs—should stand front and center in conversations about chemical safety, not just chemists and managers.
Diethylene glycol ethyl ether, also known as DEGE, rarely comes up in everyday conversation. Yet in industrial settings, this clear, colorless liquid gets a lot of attention. Some see chemicals as abstract, complicated formulas, but working around products that rely on solvents like DEGE gives a person a different perspective. Here, you don’t worry so much about the impressive-sounding chemistry; you care about what it does, how it reacts, and what it means for real use.
DEGE pours with a slightly oily feel. You won’t see any streaks of color or notice much of a scent. There’s a sort of gentle slipperiness you notice if you spill it on a glove. Unlike water, DEGE evaporates slowly at room temperature. The boiling point sits higher than plenty of common solvents—right around 196°C. That feature alone makes it valuable; in paint or ink manufacturing, for example, slower evaporation keeps things workable longer, letting you take your time for detailed work or smooth finishes.
This liquid also grabs onto water. DEGE mixes with almost anything—water, alcohol, some oils—which gives a lot of flexibility. Workers in cleaning products or coatings get used to this; you can blend it with different ingredients without running into separation or cloudiness. If someone adds DEGE to a recipe in a workshop, they don’t deal with stubborn layers or chemical fuzziness. This helps cut down on wasted ingredients and mix errors.
For all its mixing friendliness, DEGE stands as a fairly stable actor, not one to cause a fuss with heat or light. It holds up under ordinary handling but, like most glycol ethers, can become a risk if mixed with strong acids or oxidizers. Factory workers pay attention because these kinds of interactions make for dangerous situations—think explosive reactions or toxic gases. DEGE’s structure—a chain with two ether groups—prevents quick breakdown, and that stability matters a lot for storage and transport. People don’t want unwanted surprises on the shop floor or in the supply line.
On a chemical level, DEGE’s design helps it slip into tight spaces, breaking up particles—an attractive feature for cleaners or dyes. In labs and industrial processes, technicians favor it for that dissolving muscle. Smoothing out rough powders or dissolving stubborn sludge, DEGE takes care of jobs where stronger, smellier, or costlier solvents once dominated. In textile work, it's useful for getting color to spread evenly on fabric, so you see deeper, richer shades without patchy results.
Every upside comes with watchfulness. DEGE, like other glycol ethers, gets absorbed through skin, especially with regular contact. Lab tests and factory experience both show repeated exposure can bother the skin and, over time, reach the kidneys if someone’s not careful. Big warehouses and small workshops alike benefit from decent gloves, ventilation, and clear safety habits. Training crews on hazards—without panic, just practical facts—goes further than laminated rules on a wall. I’ve seen safer workplaces where easy-to-follow handling tips make more difference than expensive engineering controls.
From my own experience, sometimes there’s a push to switch to “greener” solvents, but that only works if replacements do the job just as well. The choice between safety and practicality is never easy, but for now, DEGE provides a balance: robust performance, manageable risks with correct use, and adaptability across cleaning, printing, and paintwork. The challenge isn’t to ditch it entirely but to respect what it can do—good and bad—and keep updating how we handle it as more research comes out. That focus on learning, not just compliance, brings real progress.
Diethylene glycol ethyl ether, often listed as DEGBE or by its trade names, shows up in various industries. Paint shops, cleaning supply warehouses, and labs often rely on it for its ability to dissolve tough grime or mix with other chemicals. But reading the safety data sheet never really hammers home the risks for regular folks who work with these chemicals daily. I’ve seen a few close calls—one loose cap or mislabeled can, and things get tricky. Keeping this solvent under control takes more than just shoving it in a cabinet and calling it a day.
DEGBE breaks down if exposed to heat or sunlight for long periods. Every time temperatures in warehouses climb, drum seals buckle and fumes creep out. Sunlight does more than fade labels—it speeds up breakdown and pushes vapors into the air. I always recommend storing solvents like DEGBE inside a cool, dry, shaded room with concrete floors. No carpet, no exposure to the elements, and, importantly, no shared space with food or drinking supplies. If there’s even a small risk of a drip or splash, it shouldn’t be anywhere near breakroom snacks.
Keep it in its original metal or chemical-resistant drum or jug. I’ve helped move barrels from one warehouse to another, and the ones that were left open, even for a few hours, always seemed a little lighter and, more worryingly, gave off a strong odor. Sealed, labeled containers really do the heavy lifting here.
In the chaos of a busy shop, labels get smudged or fall off, so I scribble clear, bold names and use color-coded tape. Seeing the big bold DEGBE—FLAMMABLE—TOXIC marker means there’s no mistaking what’s inside. Safety goes beyond the words on the label. It comes from being obvious and making things idiot-proof. Mistakes happen when someone grabs an unmarked bottle.
Direct contact with this solvent brings out headaches, dizziness, and nasty skin burns. Chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses make up the standard outfit in places I’ve worked. If I’m handling a big drum or pouring from a five-gallon container, I’ll go all the way and put on a face shield and apron too. Clothes that cover the arms and legs aren’t just about looks—they keep splashes from burning through skin.
No need for gold-plated ventilation systems, but keeping air moving stops the space from turning into a gas trap. I’ve worked in old cinder block rooms with nothing but wall vents and fans, and that’s often enough. The key lies in keeping vapors out of your lungs and away from ignition sources. Open flames, sparks from power tools, even static buildup, all spell disaster in the wrong conditions. If something does spill, I go straight for absorbent granules, not water—water tends to spread chemicals around rather than soak them up.
None of this matters if no one follows through. In shops where workers train every six months instead of waiting a year, accidents take a clear nosedive. It helps to show new hires the safest way to move and measure these liquids, not just hand them the rule book. Sometimes a quick story of a spill that nearly cost somebody a hand lands harder than any printed warning.
DEGBE, handled right, fits into plenty of workplaces—but cut corners and the risk jumps up fast. The best solution in my experience stays simple: respect the stuff, set up clear processes, and never treat safety as a checkbox.
Diethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether shows up in all sorts of places: cleaning products, inks, paints and even personal care items. Its appeal comes from blending power with both water and oil, making things mix together smoothly. Most people don’t stop to think about what’s inside their bottle of cleaner or ink cartridge, but this chemical under the sink or on the desktop hides some trouble if not handled with care.
Daily routines open doors to exposure without folks realizing it. Skin pulls in more chemicals than people realize, and with frequent use or spills, workers or cleaning staff catch more of this glycol ether than expected. Without gloves or good ventilation, breathing in the vapors becomes easy, especially when working long hours in small spaces or hot rooms. Chemical manufacturers and lab techs see more risk, yet anyone using cleaners or paint strippers at home isn’t always off the hook.
Short bursts of exposure don’t usually bring disaster, but symptoms still crop up. If liquid splashes on skin, it might cause irritation, redness, or itchy spots. Breathing in high amounts can bring on headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even drowsiness. Eyes catch discomfort too, sometimes leaving them red or watering. The scary part is that low levels over time still add up, even when symptoms don’t show up right away.
Decades of reports connect glycol ethers like this one to bigger issues. Studies link chronic exposure at work with blood problems, lower red blood cell count, and even issues affecting the nervous system. Animal trials suggest liver and kidney damage after heavy or long-term doses, confirmed with blood markers and organ changes. Some research even hints at reproductive trouble, such as fertility drops or birth defects, though most findings focus on family members of factory workers or those with regular, heavy chemical contact.
Hazards grow worse in factories and shops that fall behind on safety gear or ignore ventilation rules. Folks living near waste sites or spills face risk too, as water and soil can carry glycol ethers away from the original spot. The trouble often comes from old habits—no gloves, poor masks, “shortcuts” that skip washing up, or venting vapors into crowded break rooms. At home, many people mix cleaning agents or use strong solvents in closed bathrooms, without realizing how much air they’re breathing into their lungs.
Habits save skin and lungs. Gloves, goggles, and fans in closed rooms do most of the heavy lifting. Clear handling instructions on labels speak louder than medical jargon, helping people trust their eyes and noses if spills or stink seem off. Factories that track exposure and rotate staff protect long-term health better than those chasing quotas at any cost. At the public level, campaigners and regulators keep chemicals like diethylene glycol ethyl ether on radar, updating safe work limits when new research calls for it. In homes and offices, swapping to less toxic alternatives when possible eases risk for those doing the cleaning.
I once worked beside a painter who dismissed gloves and scoffed at warnings, saying, “The stuff I used as a kid was twice as bad.” He never saw any illness right away, but his hands cracked and he coughed through his shifts. The lesson hit hard for everyone else—no matter how familiar a chemical feels, nobody sees the long game until symptoms show up years later. Spotting these risks early gives people and companies a real shot at protecting health on the job and at home.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-(2-Ethoxyethoxy)ethan-1-ol |
| Other names |
Transcutol Ethoxydiglycol Carbitol 3,6-Dioxa-1-octanol Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether DEGEE |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˈɛθɪliːn ɡlaɪˈkɒl ˈiːθɪl ˈiːθər/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 111-90-0 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1332834 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:31552 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1351538 |
| ChemSpider | 6373 |
| DrugBank | DB14157 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 100.005.333 |
| EC Number | 203-919-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 8532 |
| KEGG | C19596 |
| MeSH | D014054 |
| PubChem CID | 8177 |
| RTECS number | KK8225000 |
| UNII | 6UH6D8A25P |
| UN number | UN2367 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID8023081 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H14O3 |
| Molar mass | 134.18 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.984 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| log P | -0.54 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.02 mmHg (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.78 |
| Basicity (pKb) | Base, pKb (Strongest Basic Center): 7.33 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -8.37×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.419 |
| Viscosity | 2.6 cP (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 3.48 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 309.1 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -589.75 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4206.9 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D02AE17 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS08 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0 |
| Flash point | 108°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 215 °C |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 1.1–18% (in air) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 6040 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (oral, rat): 5,926 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | TTT |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for Diethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether: Not Established |
| REL (Recommended) | 50 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 500 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Ethylene glycol Diethylene glycol Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate Triethylene glycol Propylene glycol Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether |
